Fence



(No Model.) v I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

J; ALHARNSBERGER.

No. 389,649 Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

(No Model.) I 2 shets' -sheet 2.

' J. A; HARNSBERGER,

FENCE.

No. 389,649. Patented Sept. 18, 1888.

vdiriesses UNITED STATES 1 PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB A. HARNSBERG'ER, OF CRAYON, OHIO.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 389,649, dated September 18, 1888.

Application filed August 1, 1887. Serial No. 245.837.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB A. HARNSBER- GER, acitizen of the United States, residing at Crayon, in the county of Ohainpaign and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fences, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to that class of fences known as straight-line fences, which are composed of rails and wire bound together in a suitable manner to form a fence of any desired length.

The object of my invention is to provide a fence of novel construction which shall be portable in its nature, and at the same time strong anddurable, and notliable to be blown down by wind-storms, as is the case with the fences of this type now in general use.

My invention consists in various construction's and combinations of parts, hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claims. In the accompanying drawings,which form a part of this specification, Figure 1 is an elevation of a fence embodyingv my invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation view of the same, showing the arrangement of the tie-wire in connection with the supportingstakes and the separating-brace. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the manner of attaching the suspension-wires and the tension-wires for holding the ends of the rails, boards, or poles inplace. Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the suspension and tension wire, showing the manner of attaching the same. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the tiewire and separatingbrace. Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional' view showing the manner of attaching the tie-wire and supporting-bracein a fence constructed of boards. Figs. '7, 8, and 9 are details, in perspective, showing the manner of forming the loop which supports the upper rail and connects the same to the supporting-stakes. Fig. 10 is a front elevation of the fence constructed of boards instead of rails, either of which may be used.

Like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference throughout the several views.

In the said drawings, A A, &c., represent the respective rails or poles which form the fence-panels.-

B B are the supporting-stakes, to which the toprails are secured in the ordinary manner, a loop of novel construction, however, being (No model.)

used to connect said supporting-stakes and top rails, as hereinafter more fully described.

0 is the cleat to which the respective rails of the panel are secured, two of these cleats being preferably used for each panel.

The supporting-stakes and the top row of rails are secured together to form the framework of the fence by a loop, D,which is formed in the following manner, reference being had to the drawings, and especially to Figs. 7, 8, and 9: The wire to form the loop is first passed around the top row of the longitudinal rails, and the ends of the said wire crossed under the said rail, as shown at 1 in Fig. 7. One end of the wire is then passed back over the longitudinal rail and around one of the supporting-stakes B, forming the loop 2, as shown in Fig. 8, after which it is passed under the wire of the main loop, around the horizontal rail, as shown at3, and then down to the under side of the rail to the point 6, where it is eventually fastened. The other end of the wire is now passed up over the longitudinal rail, crossing the mainloop, and given a turn around the other supporting-stake B, forming the loop 4, as shown in. Fig. 9, after which it is passed under the wire of the main loop at the point 5, and then carried downaround the longitudinal rail until it meets and crosses the other end at the point 6, when the two ends are twisted together, thus binding the whole firmly together. The frame being thus formed, the fence is completed by securing the remaining rails A of the series to the top row by means of the cleats 0, suspensionwires a, and tension wires or loops 1). The suspension-wires (1, instead of being made in a single piece, as is the usual custom, I form of two parts, one of which extends down to and is secured under the center row of rails of the panel or series. The other part is secured to the cleat above the center rail of the panel and looped around the other part at this point, then passed through the loop formed in the said other part, where it passes around the cleat and is extended down and fastened below the lower row of rails in the series. (See Fig. 4.)

The tension-wires b, I form by passing a wire from'the back of the cleat 0 around the suspension-wire a, then up behind the 1ongitndinal rail A, thence around the suspensionwire again at this point, then down in the rear of the rail and around the suspension-wire in the opposite direction to the first cross, then around the eleat C, where the ends are twisted together, as shown in Fig. 4. It will be seen that by this construction the stakes B, rails A, and cleats C are connected and bound firmly together. By constructing theloop D as above described the small loops 2 and 4 therein, which pass around the stakes B B, are held firmly together by the mainloop, which passes around the longitudinal rail, so that they cannot separate laterally, the entire loop being at the same time so constructed that when the ends of the wire forming the same are twisted together the parts will be bound so tightly that even though the ends should become unfastened the supporting stakes and the longitudinal rails would still be held together.

It has been common heretofore to connect the supporting-stakes together and to the loa gitudinal rails by means of a tie-wire to prevent the said stakes from spreading. It has been found in practice, however, that after having been some time in use and acted upon by the wind the stakes will gradually come together at the bottom, so that a heavy wind will cause the fence to turn over, the angle of the stake not being sufficient to brace it. I overcome this difficulty by using, in connection with the tie-wire, a brace-rod or connection extending across and attached at each end to the said stakes. This I preferably accomplish as shown in Fig. 5. I is the bracerod, which is attached at each end to the respective stakes B B by short independent wires 0 c and extends through the panel just above the central row of longitudinal rails A A. The tie-wire (Z is attached at one end to one of the supporting-stakesB and passes un- 0 der the rails A, thence up and over the bracerod E, thence down and back under the rails A, up again and around the brace-rod 011 the opposite side of said rails, then down and under the said rails to the opposite side of the panel, where it is secured to the supportingstake L on that side. Each end of the said tie-wire is preferably secured to the stakes B B just below the point where the brace-rod E is connected, and preferably passes through the loop of the small wires 0 c. It is obvious that the small wires 0 0 may be dispensed with, if desired, and the ends of the tie-wire (I made to serve their purpose by carrying said tiewire around the brace-rod and supporting- 5 stakes and securing the ends of the same. By this construction it will be seen that the supporting stakes are held firmly against movement in either direction and the rigidity of the fence much increased. In order to 6.) still further increase the rigidity of the fence, I provide an anchor-stake, F, extending down from the brace-rod E, and driven at the lower end firmly into the ground, the upper end being secured by wire or otherwise to the said brace-rod and supporting-stake, asshown. A connection is also preferably supplied from the lower end of the anchor-stake to the lower rails A, as shown in Fig. 2.

A fence as thus constructed is strong and durable, and is not likely to be blown down. ly the use of the double or two-part suspension-wire the center row of rails is held securely against movement in either direction, and at the same time secured rigidly to the cleat C.

It is obvious that the fence may be constructed equally as well from boards,as shown in Fig. 10, as from rails or poles.

By the use of a gate means are provided by which access may be had to the field or inelosure about which the fence is placed. In order to hold the gate from swagging, I preferably run a wire, h, from the supportingstakes next preceding the gate-panel to the cleaton which the gate-panel is supported.

It is obvious that various modifications of my device may be employed which will readily suggest themselves to the mind of an ordinary mechanic. i. do not therefore limit myself to the exact constructions set forth, but expect to cover all modifications of my invention, which are substantial equivalents thereof.

Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. The combination, with the longitudinal rails and the supporting-stakes, of the connecting brace-rod passing through the series of rails and connecting thesupporting-stakes, and the tie-wire connected at either endto the said supportingstakcs and passing under said rails and over said bracerod at either side of said rails, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination,with the rails, the supporting-stakes, and the supporting-loop connecting said stakes and rails, of the brace-rod and tie-wire connecting said supporting-stakes below the supporting-loop, and an anchorstake connected to said brace-rod, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the supporting stakes, the supporting-loop connecting the same, the rails supported by said stakes, the cleats connecting said rails, the double suspension-wire attached to said cleats, as described, and the tie-wire connecting said stakes below the said loop, of the brace-rod and the anchor-stake,substantially asset forth.

4-. The combination, with the supporting stakes, the supporting-loop formed of three intertwined small loops connecting said stakes, the longitudinal rails, and their connectingcleats, of the two-part suspensioirwire and the double-looped tensiou'wires connecting said rails and cleats, the brace-rod, tie wire, and anchor-stakes, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 27th day of July, A. D. 1887.

\Vitnesses: JACOB A. HARNSBIJRGER.

JOHN H. PIOKERING, PHILIP CoNNER. 

